Interacting with CoWorkers and Customers Read answer the

Interacting with Co-Workers and Customers Read answer the following slides utilizing the information and skills listed in the Power. Point: Employability Skills Part 2

Knowing how to communicate with people in the right context for a given situation is an important skill, as there are often unspoken rules and standards that are just expected. For example, it’s common practice in the professional world to shake hands with people when meeting, rather than offering a high-five or a hug. We might use slang with our friends when talking about what happened at school or at a party, but we would usually use different words and mannerisms when telling our parents the same information.

Consider the following situations and write down how you communicate both verbally and non verbally to each of the following parties: • FRIENDS • FAMILY • PROFESSIONAL (INTERVIEWER, EMPLOYER, TEACHER, ETC. )

Saying Hello or Goodbye • Friends: • Family: • Professional:

Asking for help • Friends: • Family: • Professional:

Showing Excitement • Friends: • Family: • Professional:

Read each of the following scenarios and answer the questions that follow: Scenario #1: Jade has her first job mowing lawns. She works for her best friend’s brother who owns a landscaping company. She’s had the job for about three weeks and really feels like she’s getting into the groove. In fact, it’s the perfect job for her: she loves being outside and appreciates the fact that she can work on her own and even listen to her MP 3 player! Jade arrives early at Mr. Z. ’s house (her first customer of the day) and gets ready to begin mowing.

Mr. Z. : You’re finally here! Jade: Hi, Mr. Z. Yes, I’m here to mow your lawn. Mr. Z. : Well, you didn’t do a very good job last week. Jade: I wasn’t the person to mow your lawn but id like to hear why you were unhappy with the job. Mr. Z. : It was just a mess! Jade: Can you please be more specific? What exactly didn’t you like? In what way was it a mess? Mr. Z. : Well, it looked just awful. Jade: Mr Z. , I really want to make sure that whatever upset you last time doesn’t happen again. If you tell me exactly what you want done differently in the future, it will really help me to be sure your lawn is mowed just the way you like it. Mr. Z. : Well, the cut grass was left on the lawn, and the edges weren’t straight. Jade: Okay let me be sure I understand. Besides mowing, you want us to be sure to rake up, remove the cut grass, and be more careful to straighten the edging. Mr. Z. : Yes, that is exactly what I expect! Jade: Thanks Mr. Z Ill be sure to do those things today, and I will let the boss know that’s what you would like done from now on. Mr. Z. : Thank you very much.

How did Jade handle Mr. Z. ’s comments? What did she do right? Was there anything she could have done differently? What about Mr. Z. ? What could he have done differently?

Scenario #2: Will works in a large dental office and winds up rushing to get to work every day after school. His job tasks include filing, making photocopies, stuffing envelopes, and answering the telephone. Ms. T, the office manager, has asked to speak with Will about his time sheet.

Ms. T. : Hello, Will. I would like to talk with you. Will: Yes, Ms. T. ? Ms. T. : Will, I’ve been watching your time this week, and I’m quite concerned. Will: Ms. T. , I see that you’re not happy, but will you please be more specific? Ms. T. : You’re not getting here on time. Will: I know I’ve been arriving to work late, and I am sorry. Ms. T. : Well, look at your time today. You were supposed to be here at 3: 15 this afternoon and it’s now 3: 30 and you just walked in. We need to be able to depend on you to be here at the time you are scheduled to work. Will: I understand that you expect me to be here on time. I’m getting here as quickly as I can after school. Would it be possible to change my start time to 3: 30? I can put in the extra 15 minutes at the end of the workday instead. Ms. T. : Well, I suppose I can try that. Are you absolutely sure that you can make it here every day by 3: 30 pm? Will: I'm sorry that I have been getting here late and upsetting you. I really do think that I can be here every day by 3: 30, but if for some reason I cant make it here by that time, I will be sure to call and let you know. Ms. T. : That would be very helpful. Thank you Will.

How do you think Ms. T. handled the situation with Will’s lateness? How did Will handle Ms. T. ’s disapproval? What might he have done differently? What might Ms. T. have done differently?

Scenario #3: Tianna has to choose someone to represent the telemarketing department on a company-wide committee that will look at ways to solicit input from employees. Tianna’s company hopes to boost morale and increase the empowerment of individual workers. Management wants to hear from the front lines and give employees on all levels an opportunity to contribute. Tianna is considering two of her coworkers—Stan and Ari has been in the department for four years and has voiced a lot of opinions about how things should change. Ari’s ideas are valuable, but his style needs some work. In fact, all Ari does lately is complain. He manages to do his job well enough, but obviously resents the decisions made by upper management. Stan doesn’t seem to have many gripes about the way management makes decisions. Stan has only been with the company for 10 months, but in that time he’s taken on new responsibilities and come up with valuable cost-saving ideas for the company. Tianna has not ruled Ari out as a potential representative for the committee. Ari needs to feel valued, and Tianna knows that Ari and everyone who interacts with him would benefit by a change in his communication style. Placing him on the committee would provide a constructive outlet for his opinions. In a new setting, Ari might learn to express himself better. Stan, on the other hand, already expresses himself well. He knows how to present ideas so others embrace them, and with his positive energy, he would be an asset to the committee.

If you were Tianna, whom would you pick? Why? How could the person you did not select help the company achieve its goals?

Answer the following questions based on your knowledge so far: Why is effective communication with coworkers important to success on the job? How should communication with coworkers differ from communication with supervisors?

• https: //www. dol. gov/odep/topics/youth/softskills/Communication. pdf • http: //www. swlearning. com/swepstuff/previews/files/communication/c 200 0/0538433035/ic_ch 01. pdf